England outclassed Denmark 3-0 to roar into the World Cup quarter-finals. First-half goals from Rio Ferdinand, striker Michael Owen and Liverpool team-mate Emile Heskey crowned a superb display for Sven-Goran Eriksson's side, who now advance to a last eight showdown with either Brazil or Belgium in Shizuoka on June 21. A delighted Eriksson said England had deserved victory, but acknowledged a poor goalkeeping performance from Thomas Sorensen had helped his side. "I think we deserved it, we played good football first half and we created a lot of chances," Eriksson said. "Maybe we were a little bit lucky. Maybe 3-0 is a little bit too much. But anyhow we won it and we are in the quarter-finals." Eriksson played down minor injuries to Owen and influential midfielder Paul Scholes. Owen limped off with a groin strain while Scholes twisted an ankle. "We don't think it's a bad one," he said of Owen's injury. "We think he can be available for the next game. We think it's the same with Scholes. I don't think it's a bad one. Eriksson agreed Brazil were now England's likely quarter-final opponents. "I think Brazil, the way they are playing at this moment are one of the favourites, but a lot of favourites have already gone out of this tournament - so maybe Brazil is one. So we' ll see. "It's open. Now we have six days before the next game - we have time to rest, recover from injury. We' ll have a nice week. We' ll see." Against Danish opponents who earlier this week had sent champions France crashing out of the tournament, England dominated from start to finish with a composed performance at rain-soaked Big Swan Stadium. England got off to a dream start after only five minutes, when a corner from captain David Beckham caused panic in the Danish six yard box. Ferdinand's header at the back post was off-target but back-pedalling Denmark keeper Thomas Sorensen fluffed his attempt to gather, inadvertently fumbling the ball over the line. Ferdinand wheeled away to celebrate but Sorensen was at fault. To make matters worse for Denmark, the melee saw influential defender Thomas Helveg leave the field injured after colliding with a stanchion behind the goal, forcing an unwanted reshuffle on the Danes, Kasper Bogelund coming on. England again tested the Danish defence on 16 minutes. A long ball forward from Arsenal fullback Ashley Cole saw Heskey go clear after a barge on Martin Laursen, but Sorensen was alert to the danger. On 22 minutes England's total early domination got its reward with a superb eight-pass move launched by a 40-yard ball from Scholes to Manchester United colleague Beckham. Trevor Sinclair broke down the left and played a low centre into the Danish area. Nicky Butt flicked on, the ball took a kind deflection off Danish marker Thomas Gravesen and found Owen with time to pick his spot with a low finish past Sorensen. Danish frustration at their inability to get into the match was summed up by midfield enforcer Stig Tofting's early booking for dissent. Tofting, who had a quiet game, was later substituted. England were warned against complacency a few minutes after Owen's goal, when Danish striker Ebbe Sand broke into the box and sent a firm low shot flying inches past the post. But on the stroke of half-time England all but sealed their place in the next round. A long throw by Danny Mills was poorly dealt with Niclas Jensen and Beckham picked up the loose ball, sweeping to Heskey who thumped an unstoppable low shot beneath Sorensen. England had an early scare in the second half, when some hesitant defending allowed Jesper Gronkjaer a shot on goal, although the Chelsea winger could only drive this over. Eriksson, who had replaced Owen with Leeds' Robbie Fowler at half-time, then brought off Scholes for Newcastle's Kieron Dyer. A flashpoint occurred on 50 minutes when fullback Mills collided with Danish skipper Rene Henriksen to earn a yellow card. But England continued to swagger on. Another slick passing sequence ended with a sprightly looking Beckham whipping in a 20-yard shot that Sorensen palmed over the bar. At the other end, luck continued to elude Denmark. On 65 minutes a Gravesen shot rocketed goalwards and deflected off Jon Dahl Tomasson and over the bar. Denmark's attempts to somehow get back in the game were frustrated at every turn, and for the final quarter England were happy to let the game play out to its conclusion. Beckham went close with a shot that Sorensen blocked. Eight minutes from time Denmark almost scored a consolation effort, Jensen's delightful chip forcing Seaman to scramble back and head over.